Recipe

A treat for all chocoholics! As if like magic, these very rich, very easy desserts bake until a light cake surrounds a rich, creamy chocolate center.

Yield: 6 servings

Prep time: 10 Mins

Cooking time: 20 Mins

Ingredients

9 oz (250g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped

3 tbsp butter, softened, plus more for the custard cups

2/3 cup sugar

4 large eggs

½ tsp pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Pinch of salt

Special Equipment:

Six 6oz (175ml) custard cups or ramekins

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously butter the inside of six 6oz (175g) custard cups, and line each with a round of wax paper. Butter the paper.

2. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over, but not in, a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from the heat.

3. Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer on high speed for about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then add the vanilla. Sift the flour and salt together and stir into the batter, then stir in the chocolate. Divide the batter among the cups. Place the cups on a baking sheet.

4. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the sides are set but the centers are still soft. Top each cup with a serving plate. Protecting your hands with a kitchen towel, invert both to unmold the cake. Remove the wax paper. Serve hot.

Notes

Prepare ahead:

The cakes can be prepared through step 3 and stored at room temperature for up to 2 hours.

Choosing Chocolate: Substitute an exotically flavored chocolate, such as fruit, spice, coffee, or tea, for the bittersweet chocolate.

Good with a dollop of softly whipped cream or hot custard sauce flavored with grated orange zest.

Leftovers can be coarsely chopped and spooned over vanilla ice cream with hot fudge sauce to make a special sundae.